Space Station's persistent air leak persists following unsuccessful repair attempts
The International Space Station (ISS) is currently experiencing an air leak from its Russian segment, despite multiple repair attempts over the years. Most recent efforts to seal the leak have failed, and ongoing monitoring indicates the problem persists [1][2][3][4].
Recent repair attempts involved sealing visible cracks and gaps, but long-term observations have shown that air loss is still occurring, suggesting either unidentified additional leaks or incomplete sealing of the known source [4]. Russian space agency Roscosmos has acknowledged the ongoing leak and confirmed that efforts to precisely locate and fix the source remain underway [5].
The persistence of the leak poses operational challenges and safety considerations. The increased risk for crew safety due to cabin depressurization, the potential need for more frequent resupply missions carrying air and repair materials, and possible impacts on ISS operational lifespan if the issue cannot be definitively resolved are all concerns [2][3].
ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen mentioned the ongoing leak to our website in October 2022. The recent Axiom 4 mission was postponed to allow engineers to understand a new pressure signature after a recent repair effort in the aft-most segment of the ISS's Zvezda service module [6].
The Crew-11 mission, which was stood down on July 31 due to cloud cover at the launch site, will try again on August 1. The delay is due to weather issues at the launch site, not the ISS leak [7]. A NASA report [PDF] states that the leaks are in the Service Module Transfer Tunnel [8].
The leak rate has reduced but remains ongoing. Roscosmos is hopeful that recent repair attempts have dealt with the issue, but a space agency insider expressed little confidence in this assertion [9]. Scientists from Russia and the US are working to find the root cause of the leak and prevent it from occurring in future space stations [10].
The cracks and leaks in the ISS are a "top safety risk," according to the 2024 Office of Inspector General report into NASA's Management of Risks to Sustaining ISS Operations through 2030. One option for addressing the leaks is to seal off the affected section of the ISS, which would result in the loss of a Russian docking port [11]. The leaks were first detected in 2019 and have not been fully repaired [1].
The article does not provide any information about NASA's budget or Trump's proposed budget cuts. Elon Musk's call for the International Space Station to be deorbited by 2027 was not mentioned in the context of the current ISS leak. The article also does not provide any information about NASA's request for ideas on dealing with space waste.
Despite the challenges, the crew is not in danger, but cracks in the aging structure are less than ideal. The leak rate has not yet reached a point that is disastrous for operations onboard the ISS, and NASA reported in June that the pressure appeared stable, suggesting the repair may have worked [8].
- The scientific community, in an effort to prevent similar issues in future space stations, has collaborative projects underway between Russian and US scientists to identify the root cause of the leaks on the International Space Station (ISS).
- The ongoing health-and-wellness of ISS crew members relies, in part, on the AI-enabled monitoring systems that track the ISS's air pressure and the associated operational challenges posed by the persistent air leak.
- In the realm of science and technology, research is being conducted to develop repair methods and materials that can effectively address the cloud-like leaks in the Service Module Transfer Tunnel of the ISS, potentially leading to long-term solutions for space-and-astronomy organizations.
